Cultural Capital

Summary

Cultural capital, a theory by Pierre Bourdieu, refers to the cultural knowledge and material objects that act as currency in society, influencing experiences and opportunities. It encompasses embodied (knowledge within us), objectified (material possessions), and institutionalized (formal education) forms. This capital can lead to social inequality, as those from lower classes struggle to gain valued cultural capital, affecting their life chances. Society often rewards those with higher cultural capital, creating a cycle that perpetuates social class distinctions.

Takeaways

• 📚 Cultural capital is a theory by Pierre Bourdieu that explains how cultural knowledge acts as a form of currency in society.
• 💼 It's not about economic wealth but can be exchanged for it, influencing opportunities and experiences.
• 🎓 Education and credentials are significant forms of cultural capital that can lead to social inequality.
• 🏡 Those from lower social classes often struggle to gain valued cultural capital due to limited resources.
• 🧠 Cultural capital exists in three states: embodied (knowledge within us), objectified (material possessions), and institutionalized (recognized by society).
• 👶 Early exposure to books and being read to are forms of embodied cultural capital that can impact future educational success.
• 🚗 Objectified cultural capital can be seen in material possessions like cars or brands that signal social status.
• 📈 The institutionalized state of cultural capital is often measured by the level of education one has, with higher degrees equating to more prestige.
• 💰 Higher cultural capital, especially in institutionalized forms, can translate to greater economic capital.
• 🌐 Cultural capital is a social currency that can be inherited and can perpetuate existing social hierarchies.
• 🕰️ Cultural capital evolves over time, with certain forms losing value while new forms emerge, reflecting societal changes.

Q & A

What is cultural capital according to Pierre Bourdieu?

Cultural capital is the cultural knowledge that serves as currency, helping us navigate culture and altering our experiences and opportunities available to us. It can be material objects or symbolic elements like tastes, manners, skills, and credentials.

How does cultural capital differ from economic capital?

Cultural capital is not about economics or how much money one has, but it can be exchanged for money. It's more about the cultural knowledge and symbolic elements that one possesses.

What is the relationship between cultural capital and social inequality?

Cultural capital can be a source of social inequality as it is harder for those who are poor or part of the working class to gain the types of cultural capital that are valued in society.

How does cultural capital impact a student's education?

Cultural capital can impact a student's education by influencing their performance, test scores, class placements, and ultimately, the college they can get into.

What are the three forms of cultural capital?

The three forms of cultural capital are the embodied state, the objectified state, and the institutionalized state.

What does the embodied state of cultural capital refer to?

The embodied state refers to capital in the form of knowledge that resides within us, such as language, manners, and skills acquired through formal schooling or personal interest.

Can you provide an example of cultural capital in the objectified state?

Cultural capital in the objectified state refers to material objects like owning a luxury car or buying expensive, organic food, which indicate one's social class or capital.

What is the institutionalized state of cultural capital?

The institutionalized state refers to the way society measures cultural capital, such as the type of post-secondary degree one has and how it is valued.

How does society reward individuals with high cultural capital?

Society rewards individuals with high cultural capital by giving them more prestige, which can be exchanged for economic capital, better job opportunities, and social advantages.

How can one demonstrate cultural capital beyond formal education?

One can demonstrate cultural capital beyond formal education through their manners, taste in art or literature, language proficiency, or social skills.

How has cultural capital changed over time?

Cultural capital has evolved over time, with new forms of capital emerging, such as digital literacy and social media presence, while some traditional forms may lose value.

Can you give an example of a type of capital that is no longer valued as much as it was in the past?

An example of a type of capital that is less valued today might be the ability to perform manual labor without the aid of modern technology, as automation and digital tools have become more prevalent.

What is an example of a new type of cultural capital in our society?

A new type of cultural capital could be technological literacy, such as proficiency in coding or the ability to navigate complex software systems.